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Dateline: Kfar Darom, Gush Katif. 22Heshvan 5761 (November 20, 2000).
Terrorists bomb a children’s school bus in the Gush Katif settlement of Kfar Darom.
Two teachers are
killed and dozens of children injured, including three young members
of the Cohen family, who lose their legs in the attack.
The Response: Shirat Hayam (“Song of the Sea”), a new seaside Jewish community
in Gush Katif, was founded
as a reaction to this tragedy. One young couple settled
first on this strip of the Mediterranean shore, followed shortly by youth from throughout
Gush Katif who
came to prepare the land for settlement.
Tragedy followed tragedy, however, when Shirat Hayam settler Ronnie Tzalah, a long-term
resident of Gush Katif, was murdered. Ronnie had been a founder of the coastal community
and his death, on the 20th of Tevet 5761 (January 15, 2001), was a terrible blow to the close-knit
group of Shirat Hayam residents. Grief over his death spurred them to expand the settlement even further. Residents set up caravans, erected a synagogue
and playground, and laid the infrastructure for future building.
Finally, Gush Katif’s newest community was firmly established with twenty-one families.
Men and women, adults and children, farmers, teachers, and shopkeepers—the residents
of Shirat Hayam worked
valiantly to further develop their new home. Together, they
created a vibrant settlement offering a range of communal programs, including religious services, cultural events, and children's
activities.
But the Shira (song) of Shirat Hayam came to an abrupt end on the 13th
of Menahem-Av 5765 (August 18, 2005). On that fateful day, the Disengagement plan to expel the Jewish residents of Gush Katif
and Northern Samaria was implemented,
and their residents were uprooted from their homes. Shirat Hayam, that small and
scenic community ensconced along the sea, was no more.
"I will rebuild you,
and you will be rebuilt, O Maiden Israel. You will again take up your timbrels and
go forth dancing with dancers. You will again plant vineyards…people will plant
them and redeem them". (Jeremiah 31, 3–4).
To learn more about what can be done with your kind contribution, please visit the
"Donations" section of this Web site.
Please make your checks out to: Friends of Gush Katif, and send them out to: Shirat-Hayam
- Maskiot, 19/4 Ein Tzurim St. Arnona, Jerusalem, Israel, 93393. All United States
contributions will receive tax benefits as prescribed by the IRS.
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